First off, my shelter ferrets were recipients of several wonderful packages from the giving tree. I was hoping to personally write to each person and send photo's of the ferrets, but regretfully I currently have other priorities...and I hope you will all understand. But all of the gifts arrived, including Boo's Cheweasels, and the ferrets just love them. Also, the items sent directly to Yvonne got there, and she also says thank you! These extra items have really, really come in handy over the past couple of days. Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas: If you have called or emailed and I haven't gotten back to you, it's because I don't have an answer for you, or you are asking for ferrets, and we are a week or so away from being able to begin adoptions. I will post an update every day to the FML, feel free to copy these posts to the other lists, I just don't have time. I'm prioritizing at this time, and taking things one step at a time. So please don't think I'm being rude, but time is critical right now. Now an update... Jim (my husband) moved the Band Aids, neosporin, and peroxide from the medicine cabinet downstairs onto the counter. Yep, we've been nailed a few or more times, through the leather gloves. Regretfully it is becoming painfully obvious that these creatures were never handled, and are not socialized. For this reason, we are asking shelters and others who have experience in dealing with this type of ferret to consider taking on 2, maybe three each. The reason being is that these ferrets will need a lot of work over the next 3-6 months before they are adoptable. We don't want to overburden anyone, and right now there seems to be enough volunteers that no one will need to take more than a few. No ferrets will be placed with anyone without being altered first. There will be no exceptions. I do have about 12 MF ferrets that should be ready for adoption pending ADV testing and distemper boosters. We will probably have an open house, and ask individuals, to come meet the ferrets and possibly take one home. I will post details on this as soon as I figure it out. We had a bit of a scare when the larger space heater stopped working this afternoon. Luckily Jim used to be an electrician, he took a quick look at it, and had it fixed in 5 minutes flat. Thanks to Kristeen from MetroFerret who came by this morning with a cage, litter, paper towels, sleep sacks and a bottle of wine (boy will I be needing that!!) Thanks to Ilena who came by today with cages, bedding, plexiglass (it will save my couch!), puppy pads and more. Thanks to everyone who has called or emailed with offers of supplies or cash donations. Again I will stress that we don't want cash donations sent directly to us. We have asked SOS to accept all cash donations, monitor our vet bills and make payment directly to the vets. Any extra funds will revert back to SOS's regular account to help all shelters. Support Our Shelters c/o Judith White 1236 Belfield Ave Drexel Hill PA19026-4211 Be sure to add a note that it is for the NJ Christmas Rescue. Here is what I currently need: I might still need more cages. Help caring for the ferrets. I will warn everyone, many of these ferrets are not socialized. If you are afraid to handle this type of animal, I have other things that I need help with, laundry, etc. The Ferret Store will have a list of items I need by Tuesday afternoon, if you would like to call them to send me supplies, please ask specifically what is on the list. With so many offers I don't want to get 20 water bottles when what I really need is Nutrical. I hope no one takes that the wrong way, I really do appreciate everything everyone has done. But, there are things the ferrets do and don't need, and this will be the best way to make sure they get what they need. I also need someone to act as a clearinghouse for people who want to adopt. If you have time, a computer and are really well organized, please let me know. If you make candles as a hobby (please, don't go spending money to buy them!) and want to send me some jar type candles with a "spice" scent, these ferrets stink to high heaven, and the smell is permeating into the house. I'd love to be able to hide it. Paper Towels, Odoban, Synphenol 3, Rocal Nutrical, toys for the rescues, Pet Tinic--this is needed for jills who are becoming anemic, pelletized newspaper litter, TF, 8&1 Ultimate My address is Anne Ryan 127 Aspen Dr North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Thanks again from the bottom of my heart! Got to get back to shoveling poop! Anne [Posted in FML issue 3278]